“Gabriel, what kind of question is that? You know I always have homemade cookies in the house during the holidays. You never know when someone is going to drop by!”
“Sorry. I forgot.” Walking over to the pantry, he pulled out one of the tins and opted to take the whole thing upstairs with him.
“Your cousin will be here tomorrow night like I told you,” his mother was saying. “They’re staying for two nights. Maybe you and Aspen can double date with him? That would be nice, right?”
“I guess…”
“Then next weekend your grandparents will be back and they’ll be staying through New Year’s.” She let out a weary sigh. “I really wish they weren’t coming so early. We’ve been so busy and I know they don’t expect to be entertained, but they can’t keep up like they used to. There’s so many holiday parties that we were invited to and it’s hard taking them with us everywhere, but then I feel guilty leaving them home.”
“Mom, it’s like this every year and you say the same thing each time and, in the end, everyone does okay. You need to stop worrying so much.”
“Maybe. I just feel like there’s so much going on this year with Aspen here too. Although now that the festival is done, I’m sure she won’t need to be making so much candy.”
“She got several orders from people for Christmas Eve, so she’s not completely done.” Then he paused. “Is that okay? Is she taking too much time in the kitchen?”
“What? Oh, heaven’s no. That’s not it at all. I just hate seeing her working so hard all by herself. I swear, I still don’t know how she managed to do all that she did for the festival. I can only imagine what she’d accomplish in a real professional kitchen and with a staff of her own.”
“That’s her dream but…it’s not going to happen any time soon unfortunately.”
“That really is a shame. I think she’d be wonderful with her own chocolate shop. Now that’s something we could use here in Silver Bell Falls! A little candy shop would be the perfect addition to the town.”
He laughed softly. “Funny you should say that because Aspen was saying how she wished she could do that here. Of course, there’s no way she could possibly do it. She’s not financially prepared to start her own business and I don’t think there’s any property in town that would work.”
Gabe was going to say more when he noticed his mother’s shocked expression.
“What? What did I say?”
“You didn’t say all of that to her, did you?”
“Um…”
“Why would you shoot down her dream like that?”
“I wouldn’t say I shot it down…”
“But you certainly didn’t encourage it, did you?” she accused.
“Mom, it doesn’t matter how much I encourage Aspen. She has to be ready to make the leap to start her own business.”
She let out a weary sigh. “Gabriel, doesn’t it bother you that she’s moving to the other side of the country?”
“Of course it does!”
“Then why aren’t you doing more to stop her?”
“I tried!” he shouted and then immediately stopped himself because the last thing he wanted was for Aspen or his father to hear him yelling at his mother. “I tried,” he repeated softer. “I asked her to move in with me so she wouldn’t have to move and she turned me down.”
“Did you ask her as her buddy or as her boyfriend?”
The urge to roll his eyes was huge, but he refrained. “At the time, it was as her friend. I’m always her friend, Mom.”
“Well now maybe that your relationship has evolved you should ask her again.” Then she shoved the tray of food at him and gave him one last disapproving glare. “Don’t mess this up.”
Gabe took the tray and was momentarily frozen to the spot. Didn’t everyone realize he didn’t want Aspen to move? And it had nothing to do with this new…physical aspect of their relationship. It had to do with him just not wanting Aspen to leave period. But what was he supposed to do? He’d already asked her to stay–already gave her the option–and she turned him down. There was no way he could force her to stay. The choice had to be hers.
But maybe…maybe it was time to quietly campaign for her to move in with him.
And not just because it would save her money once they got back to Atlanta.
This whole romantic part of their relationship started partially because they were on borrowed time, but things were going better than he expected and he wasn’t ready for it to end. For all the years he thought about being in a relationship with Aspen, he thought he knew why it wouldn’t work. It turned out, he was wrong. He used to worry how his lack of romantic efforts would cause a problem, but…they hadn’t. If anything, Aspen seemed way happier than he ever remembered seeing her.
Was it possible that he was actually good at being a boyfriend?
Or was it the town?
Because…she was seriously in love with this town.
All his good feelings started to melt away and even though it was crazy to be jealous of a place, that was kind of how he was feeling. Was she seriously just happy because of their environment and he was perhaps just reaping the benefits of it? And how the hell was he supposed to find out? How was he supposed to go up to Aspen and ask, “Um, hey…is it me you’re in love with or Silver Bell Falls?”
Right. Like that wouldn’t make him look completely crazy.
Unfortunately, he had no idea how Aspen truly felt and that was unusual for them. Most of the time he knew exactly how she felt about things, but for some reason they weren’t quite as in sync right now.
Physically? Yes. But everything else? Not so much.
“Gabe?” Aspen called from upstairs and he knew he wasted enough time in his own head.
With a steadying breath, he walked up the stairs and into his room where he found Aspen standing next to his bed in nothing but a towel and a sexy grin.
Yeah, things needed to be discussed, but…later.
Much, much later.
Eleven
“Here you go, Bev!” Aspen said the following Friday. “Two dozen dark chocolate peppermint truffles and two dozen milk chocolate peanut butter cups!”
“You are a lifesaver, Aspen! I wanted to bring something different to my husband’s office Christmas party and I know these are going to be a big hit! Thanks for making them on such short notice.”
It was true, Aspen received the frantic call the day before, but she knew she had enough ingredients on hand to make it happen. “It was my pleasure.”
“Why don’t you sit down and I’ll get you some lunch on me?” Bev was one of the waitresses at the Silver Bell Diner and Aspen had to admit she was really in the mood for their chili.
“You don’t have to do that, Bev…”
“What’ll you have? The special today is fish and chips, but we’ve also got meatloaf.”
“Actually, I would love a bowl of chili, please.”
“You got it,” she said with a smile. “Oh, and it looks like your boyfriend’s going to join you! Tell him I’ve got him covered too. I already know what he’s going to order. That boy never tries anything new.” And before Aspen could argue, Bev was gone and Gabe was walking over.
“Hey, you,” she said warmly. “This is a nice surprise.”
“Well, I saw you heading in here and figured I’d come over and see if we could have lunch together.”
“I just ordered and Bev said she already knew what you were going to order, so…”
With a low chuckle, he slid into the booth. “Yeah, I’m not adventurous. I know what I like and I stick to it. Sue me.”
He was adorable when he was grumpy like this and it would be easy to tease him, but she was feeling too good right now. “So how’s business today? The lot’s looking kind of empty. That’s a good thing, right?”
Nodding, Gabe slid his coat off. “Dad thinks we’ll be sold out by Monday. He wants to do a big push this weekend,” he explained miserably.
“And that�
�s…bad?”
If his expression was anything to go by, then Aspen would have to say this was bad news.
She just couldn’t figure out why.
He surprised her by reaching out and taking her hands in his. “I had something planned for us this weekend,” he began.
“O-kay…”
“And now I feel guilty about it.”
Even though she had no idea what it was that he had planned, she was incredibly touched. Gabe had a tendency not to make any romantic gestures when he was involved with a woman, and more than one ex-girlfriend had been vocal about it.
Of course, she had no idea if his plans were romantic, so…
“I don’t know what to say, Gabe,” she said. “If it’s going to be a problem with your father, then we can do whatever it is that you have planned another time. It’s not a big deal.”
It was clearly the wrong thing to say because his expression turned fierce.
“No,” he said firmly. “We can’t do it another time.”
“Um…”
“I booked us a room at the B&B tomorrow night,” he said, and it would have been incredibly romantic if he weren’t snarling the words.
“Oh,” she said softly. And dammit, now she was disappointed because it was a very romantic gesture and so out of his usual comfort zone that it made her heart do a crazy little beat. He was doing it for her and now…now they couldn’t go.
“And I can’t reschedule because it’s the holidays and it was pure luck that I was even able to get us a room. They’re booked through the end of the year and you’ll be gone before that happens and I can’t believe the one time I try to do something like this, it gets ruined!”
Bev quietly placed their drinks on the table and slowly stepped away.
“It’s okay,” she said, forcing a smile on her face. “We both knew you were here to help out with the lot and I’m sure your dad felt bad asking you not to go.”
“He didn’t ask,” Gabe murmured.
“Um…excuse me?”
“He didn’t ask me to cancel.” Sighing, he released her hands and leaned back in his seat. “I told him earlier in the week about the reservations and today–out of the blue–he’s been going on and on about what a busy weekend it’s going to be and how hectic the last weekend always is and…I mean he didn’t come out and say it but…I can’t just leave him high and dry.”
Aspen was fairly certain her jaw was hanging open, and she wasn’t sure if she loved him because he was feeling guilty about not helping his family or if she wanted to smack him because he was clueless.
“You have to talk to him, Gabe. For all you know, he was just thinking out loud. And it’s not like he’s short-handed at the lot. He’s got plenty of people working with him.”
“I don’t know. It seems wrong not to be there.”
“Look, one of the things I love about you is how you are close with your parents and how you always come back here to help them.”
All he did was glare at her, his arms crossed stubbornly across his chest.
Well, two could play that game.
Mimicking his pose, she stared at him. “What is it you want me to say here, Gabe? Should I be mad? Cry? Create a scene? Tell me because I don’t know.”
They sat like that for several moments before Gabe leaned forward. “You know what? I would like it if you were mad and cried and made a scene. You and I both know I don’t do shit like this and it was kind of a big deal. The least you could do is act like you’re disappointed.”
There was very little heat behind his words, but there was definitely disappointment.
She just wasn’t sure if it was the situation or her reaction to it that caused it.
“Gabe, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t sad about having to cancel.” She reached out and took one of his large hands in hers and gently caressed it. “But…I’m still not sure we have to cancel.”
“Aspen, I told you…”
“You told me that your father was talking about how busy the weekend was going to be. He says that about every weekend. And every conversation I’ve had with him, he talks about how busy this season has been.”
“Maybe…”
“Then he gushes about how I’m responsible because of the free chocolates,” she preened.
“Good grief.” He gave her an exaggerated eye roll, but at least he had a hint of a smile on his face.
“I think we should have our lunch and then I’ll walk over to the lot with you and we’ll talk to him together. What do you say?”
“It’s not going to change anything.”
“How do you know?” she challenged. “Are you saying that you’re never wrong? That you’ve never misunderstood something? Because I’m here to tell you that you’ve been wrong about a lot of things and you misunderstand stuff all the time.”
“Aspen…”
“All. The. Time.”
“Fine. We’ll do it your way and when he says that he’d prefer that I didn’t take the time off, just know that I’m going to say I told you so.”
“I know you will,” she retorted. “And I can only hope there will be a dance too.”
That broke the rest of the tension and luckily Bev walked back over with a wary smile and put their lunches down.
And quickly walked away.
“I think we scared her,” Aspen commented as she stirred her chili.
“Nah. Bev’s awesome. She’s just giving us some privacy.” He picked up his burger and smiled. “And she knows my lunch order by heart.”
“That’s not something to be proud of. Mix things up a little. Give her a thrill.”
They ate quietly for several minutes when Bev approached the table again. “Sorry to interrupt, but I was wondering, Aspen, if you had time to make some stuff for New Year’s. We have a big shindig for the whole town and I was just wondering if you wanted to have a booth or something to sell your chocolates from.”
Aspen choked on her spoonful of chili and took a sip of water before she felt like she was able to speak. “I had no idea there was a town-wide party.”
Bev glanced at Gabe and then back to her. “Yeah! It’s kind of a big deal. We normally have a couple of food vendors and I just figured since you were such a hit at the arts and crafts festival and the tree lot, that you’d probably be a big hit on New Year’s Eve too!”
There wasn’t a doubt in Aspen’s mind that with a little financial backing that she could have a successful business here in Silver Bell Falls. Unfortunately, she didn’t have the money for it–or a place to live or an actual commercial kitchen to call her own–so…
“Aspen’s not going to be here for New Year’s,” Gabe said, interrupting her thoughts. “She leaves to head back to Atlanta the day after Christmas.”
“Well darn,” Bev said with a small pout. “Any chance you’ll have time to make a couple of hundred treats for us to give out?”
Gabe looked like he was ready to answer but Aspen cut him off. “I wish but I already have a bunch of orders I have to have ready for Christmas Eve. And as Gabe mentioned, I leave right after Christmas so I most likely won’t have the time. I’m sorry.”
“I’m sorry you’re not going to be here for the big New Year’s Eve bash, but I really appreciate the chocolate you made for me for the Christmas party.” She smiled again and said, “And remember, lunch is on me.”
“Wait…what?” Gabe asked, but Bev was already walking away. He glanced at Aspen. “What was that about?”
But Aspen waved him off. “She ordered some chocolates from me and even though she paid for them, she’s insisting on buying lunch. I just planned on leaving her a big tip.”
“I’ll take care of it,” he commented. “And I’ll make sure it covers all of this.”
She shrugged, but something was still bugging her. “You know, I didn’t need you to answer for me.”
His burger was halfway to his mouth when he paused. “What are you talking about?”
“Just now with Be
v. I was perfectly capable of telling her I wasn’t going to be here. You didn’t need to answer for me.”
“Oh, um…sorry? I didn’t think it was a big deal.”
And the thing was, it really wasn’t but for some reason, it bothered her. With a weary sigh, she pushed her lunch aside. “Don’t you think I want to stay through New Year’s? And not just because I could contribute to this big New Year’s thing…”
“It’s not really that big,” he interrupted. “And it’s a fairly new thing. I think it only started a few years ago.”
“Not the point,” she countered. “I hear of things like this and it kills me because it’s obvious that I have a really good chance of making a success of a small business here, Gabe. And if things were different, I would be staying! If I didn’t have to move…”
“You don’t!” he said, clearly frustrated. “We’ve been over this! We can make something work! You know you don’t want to move, so why do it?”
“Because I’m essentially homeless! My lease is up and I have to get all of my stuff out of the apartment by the end of the month, and I certainly don’t have any money to start up a business! At least not right now. Maybe six months of living with my folks will help.”
“Or maybe six months with them will crush your spirit.”
Unable to help herself, she gasped. “Wow. That was a little harsh.”
“Was it? Because we both know how you’re always saying your parents make you crazy. And when you’re not saying that, you’re talking about how expensive everything is in California. So why are you going? Stay in Atlanta! Just move in with me and we’ll make it work! You know it’s the practical solution to all of this.” He gave her his usual smile but she didn’t return it. “And when I get back, I’ll try to help you secure a loan since you probably won’t be able to get one on your own. Maybe with the two of us, you’ll have a better chance.”
Then he did pick up his burger and finished his lunch but Aspen’s appetite was gone.
She knew Gabe–her best friend–would always be there for her. And when everything first happened and he offered her a place to live, she considered it because…well…everything he said. But now? Now that the Gabe who was offering was her boyfriend–her lover–and he was talking about living together as a practical solution? Um…yeah. Not even a little bit appealing.
The Christmas Plan Page 15